10 performance cars from the 1990s no one remembers

The 1990s were packed with great sports cars. From the Acura NSX, to the Ferrari F355, and, of course, the incomparable McLaren F1, well-heeled car enthusiasts had never had it better. But among the iconic headline-grabbers were many less popular models that just faded into the background.

We went through the archives to unearth some of these models and give them the recognition they deserve. By archives, we mean the stack of car magazines that we may or may not have been hoarding since the 1980s. While you may recognize some of the models listed below, we bet there are a few surprises that may have slipped your mind.

It's worth mentioning that while some, many, or all, of these '90s performance cars may be familiar to a number of our readers, not everyone was fortunate enough to grow up with those early Gran Turismo games. These are the models that, while celebrated in their time, are being quickly forgotten by history in favor of more recent or simply more successful models.

Alfa Romeo SZ

1989–1991

Basic Specifications

The Alfa Romeo SZ (Sprint Zagato) was a limited-production sports car designed to recapture some of Alfa Romeo's rich racing heritage at a particularly low point in the company's storied existence. The slab-sided SZ looked like nothing else at the time, or since, for that matter. The styling was a collaboration between theZagato styling house and Alfa Romeo, and it was the first to be produced using computer-aided design (CAD/CAM) methods, which was most likely the reason for those “interesting” proportions.

This wasn't the first time Zagato and Alfa Romeo had gotten together on a project. Far from it, in fact, as the two Italian brands have collaborated many times before on projects like the Junior Zagato and TZ1 Zagato, which is now worth millions, unlike the far more affordable SZ.

Although its looks may have been an acquired taste, the 3.0-liter V6's performance was spot on at the time. Approximately 1,036 SZs and 278 convertible RZ variants were produced. None were sold new to the US, so seeing one out in the wild is an extremely rare occurrence.

BMW M5 E34

1988–1995

Basic Specifications

The BMW M5 may seem like an odd choice in a list of cars nobody remembers, but the second-generation version seems to have slipped through the cracks. It's mostly because the original E28 variant was a singular masterpiece with no direct rivals, whereas this one was seen as a softer and less exciting machine, and it no longer had the performance-sedan market all to itself. Yet the E34 still used an evolution of the iconic Paul Roche-developed M88 inline six-cylinder engine called the S38, with a capacity and power hike for the 1992 model year.

Another reason this otherwise great super sedan has faded into the background is that the next M5 was also a game-changer. Its 394-hp 4.9-liter V8 engine took performance to the next level, leaving the competition playing catch-up for years. Here's the great thing about the E34 though: while it is indeed a modern-classic which deserves treasuring, it's also perfectly usable still on a day-today basis, making it a great choice for someone who actually wants to drive their retro ride. These days, the E34 M5 is still an underrated M car, although values are starting to rise, perhaps because it was the last six-cylinder M5.

Cizeta-Moroder V16T

1991–2003

Basic Specifications

At first glance, the Cizeta-Moroder looks very much like a Lamborghini Diablo and there's a good reason for the similarity. The company was founded by an ex-Lamborghini engineer and designed by Marcello Gandini, a man credited with designing no less than ten Lamborghini models, including the Diablo.

The Moroder also used Lamborghini power. Its massive 6.0-liter 16-cylinder engine was made from two Lamborghini Urraco flat-plane V8s. The allure of a 16-cylinder supercar attracted many initial orders, but internal issues, failure to homologate for the US market, and a looming global financial crisis meant that just five cars were built during the first production run. A further six were built in the ensuing years, and all were badged simply as Cizeta V16Ts as co-founder Giorgio Moroder had left the company.

Dodge Stealth R/T Turbo

1990–1996

Basic Specifications

The Dodge Stealth was a restyled Mitsubishi 3000GT, sold in the US with three different 3.0-liter V6 engines. The range-topping Stealth R/T had a technically advanced twin-turbo motor that gave it serious pace, while the all-wheel-drive system made it usable all year round. Despite positive reviews at the time, sales were never good, ensuring that both the Stealth and 3000GT remain a rarity today. Despite the exclusivity, this Dodge remains fairly affordable for a '90s performance car, and therefore represents an interesting buy for those with modest budgets.

Ford Taurus SHO

1992–1995

Basic Specifications

The Ford Taurus SHO (Super High Output) was introduced in 1989 as a sporty sedan with a Yamaha-designed V6 engine. It was the ultimate sleeper car, with not many exterior design cues to indicate that it had 220 hp under the hood. Three generations of Taurus SHO were produced between 1989 and 1999, the first two with a 3.0- or 3.2-liter V6, while the third-generation model got a 3.4-liter V8. All were quick for their time yet looked completely innocuous.

After a ten-year hiatus, Ford reintroduced the SHO for a fourth generation, this time, with a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6. Used examples of the 1990s models are hard to find, and good ones are now highly sought-after. While two-seater coupes and roadsters may be more sporting, there aren't many options from the era that offer SHO-level thrills while also boasting genuine family-friendly capabilities.

Jaguar XJR-15

1990–1992

Basic Specifications

Aside from die-hard Jaguar fans, most people assume that the XJ220 was the only supercar this marque produced during the 1990s. But it was the XJR-15 that came first, and unlike the XJ220, which was supposed to be fitted with a V12 but ended up with a turbocharged V6, this Jaguar had a proper 6.0-liter V12. It was the first road car to be built from carbon fiber composites, and proved a competent race car, too. Just 53 examples were eventually built.

While the later XJ220 sported a leather-trimmed interior and era-correct creature comforts, the XJR-15 was a much more performance-focused machine. Exposed carbon, a plethora of dials, and back-to-basics switchgear clearly defined this as a racer for the road, and not just another rich guy's posing machine. For hardcore driving enthusiasts, it could be considered the pinnacle of '90s supercars.

Lister Storm

1993–1994

Basic Specifications

It may look like a kit car from some angles, but there's no 2.0-liter Miata motor hiding beneath those awkward body panels and behind the other borrowed parts (the taillights are from an Audi 80). The Lister Storm was actually a racing car for the road, with carbon fiber bodywork and a modified 7.0-liter V12 Jaguar engine borrowed from the Le Mans race car.

This thing was as quick as it was ugly, but just four road cars were built. Racing versions of the Lister Storm were campaigned in various series, with a few notable wins. Interesting, the Lister Storm was also a four-seater — hence the slightly difficult-to-love silhouette — and one of the fastest ever sold at that.

Nissan Pulsar GTI-R

1990–1994

Basic Specifications

For US car fans, owning a Nissan Pulsar in the 1990s meant that life had not gone well. That's because we only got the base 1.4-liter version here, while Europe and Japan could also have a GTI-R variant that could blow the doors off most Corvettes of the time.

The Nissan Pulsar GTI-R was built to satisfy Group A homologation requirements. It had a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, all-wheel drive, and modified suspension and drivetrain components. Just 14,613 GTI-R models were built globally, but none were offered in the US. However, the 25-year import rule now covers these models, so all hope is not lost.

Panoz Roadster

1992–1999

Basic Specifications

Panoz is most commonly associated with racing, but it has also produced some limited-run road cars. The Panoz Roadster was introduced in 1992 as a sporty two-seater, built from lightweight materials, and fitted with the bare minimum of luxuries. The company did offer other cars at the time, such as the Esperante, but nothing quite as crazy as this Roadster. Think of it as a Plymouth Prowler, without the six-cylinder, auto-box compromise.

In 1996, it received an aluminum chassis, and this updated model was renamed the AIV (Aluminum Intensive Roadster) to highlight its extruded aluminum spaceframe. Both roadsters used Ford V8 engines and running gear, and just 220 cars were built over the seven-year production run.

Subaru SVX

1991–1996

Basic Specifications

Subaru was making a name for itself in global rallying with the impressive turbocharged Impreza, but sales were floundering, and a high-volume model was needed to get the company back on track. Instead, it released the Giugiaro-designed SVX sports car. It was unlike any Subaru that had come before.

The flowing lines, 3.3-liter flat-six engine, and automatic transmission, made this a pretty and capable grand tourer, but not a particularly quick one. As it turned out, the buying public wasn't quite ready for a sporty two-door Subaru, and the SVX never sold in the numbers Subaru had hoped.

Sources:Alfa Romeo Heritage, Cizeta, BMW Group Classic, Lister, Panoz, Nissan Heritage, Jaguar Heritage.